CDPH Hosting Best Practices Webinar for Physicians
TB Screening Requirement: A new law aimed at reducing tuberculosis (TB) in California took effect on January 1, 2025. AB 2132, introduced by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley), requires primary care providers to offer TB screening tests to adult patients if risk factors are identified and the test is covered by the patient’s insurance. If a patient tests positive, they must receive appropriate follow-up care or a referral for treatment.
The Urgent Need for TB Screening
An estimated 2 million Californians are infected with TB, yet only 20% are aware of their diagnosis, and just 12% have received treatment. Every year, approximately 2,000 Californians develop active TB disease, and California’s TB incidence rate is nearly double the national average. TB Screening Requirement
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, TB was the leading infectious disease killer worldwide, claiming more than 1.5 million lives annually. In California, the disease disproportionately impacts communities based on race, ethnicity, and place of birth, underscoring the need for a health equity-driven approach to prevention.
The Role of Primary Care Physicians
With no effective TB vaccine, the best strategy for prevention is early detection and treatment of latent TB infection. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH), along with the CDC and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, strongly recommend that primary care physicians proactively screen at-risk patients.
To support providers, CDPH’s Tuberculosis Control Branch is hosting a free webinar on Thursday, April 24, from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m., covering best practices for TB screening and treatment. Register now to learn how to implement TB screening in your practice.
Additional Resources
Assembly Bill 2132 Full Text
TB in California 2023 Snapshot
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations
Healthcare Provider Resources & Tools
California TB Control Directory by County
For more information, contact CDPH TB Control Branch at TBFreeCATraining@cdph.ca.gov.
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